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US Sub Skipper Reprimanded for Accident
The skipper of US submarine Greeneville which sank a Japanese fishing boat off Hawaii in February received a letter of reprimand on Monday for the incident and would retire by October 1.
"While I regret that my navy career has ended in this way, I know that I am one of the lucky ones because I survived the accident," Scott Waddle said in a statement after a hearing of the U.S. Navy held at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Thomas Fargo, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, imposed the punishment on the basis of recommendations made by a U.S. Navy court of inquiry earlier this month.
"I understand and accept the punishment that Admiral Fargo imposed. He treated me fairly and with dignity and respect and I thank him for that," Waddle said.
The Greeneville, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, sank the Ehime Maru while practicing an emergency surfacing on February 9 off Hawaii. Nine Japanese were missing and presumably dead.
Fargo concluded there was dereliction of duty and negligent hazarding of another vessel, said Charles Gittins, who is Waddle's civilian attorney.
But the attorney said Fargo did not mention allegations of negligent homicide in the deaths of nine Japanese.
The public opinion in Japan has been unsatisfied that Waddle will not be court-martialed for his role in the accident.
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